Accessibility links

  • Skip to content
  • Accessibility Help

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today for a better experience of this site and many others.

Click button to open menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About The Firm
    • Company History
    • Why Choose Us?
    • Meet the Team
    • Join the Team
    • Mission Statement
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • The Finnies App
  • Services
    • Services for Business
      • Overview
      • Accountancy
      • Auditing
      • Bookkeeping
      • Business Growth
      • Company Secretarial
      • Corporate Finance Services
      • Exit Planning
      • Human Resources Support
      • Payroll
      • Rescue & Recovery
      • Succession Planning
    • Services for Individuals
      • Overview
      • Retirement Planning
      • Self Assessment
      • Wealth Management
    • Tax
      • Overview
      • Personal Tax Planning
      • Corporate Tax
      • Estate and Inheritance Tax
      • Capital Gains Tax
      • HMRC Investigations
      • VAT Advice
      • International Tax
    • Cloud Accounting
      • Overview
      • QuickBooks Online
      • Xero
      • Making Tax Digital – What does it mean to me?
  • Specialisms
    • Manufacturing
    • Academies
      • Overview
      • Audit
      • Payroll Services
      • Responsible Officer Duties
    • Musicians
      • Overview
      • For You Personally
      • Incorporation of Your Business
      • Overseas Engagement
      • VAT Registration
  • Resources
    • Your business
      • Overview
      • Developing your business
      • Essentials
      • Limited companies
      • PAYE, NICs and benefits
      • Starting a business
      • VAT
    • Your money
      • Overview
      • Personal taxation
      • Savings & investments
    • Tax information
      • Overview
      • Autumn Budget
      • Spring Statement
      • Tax calendar
      • Tax rates and allowances
    • Guides
    • Tax strategies
      • Overview
      • Tax and financial strategies 2025/26
      • Strategies for your business
      • Exiting your business
      • Tax and employment
      • Planning for yourself and your family
      • Making the most of savings and investments
      • A comfortable retirement
      • Tax-efficient estate planning
    • Interactive tools
      • Overview
      • Calculators
      • Companies House forms
      • HMRC forms
      • Links
    • IRIS OpenSpace
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • Business News
    • Hot Topics
  • Contact Us
finnies
Facebook X LinkedIn Google+ YouTube
01482 861919 enquiries@finnies.org.uk

Business leaders remain cautious on the outlook for the year ahead

  1. News
  2. Business News
  3. Archive

06 Jan 2025

Business leader optimism rose slightly in December but remains at a low point, according to the Institute of Directors' (IoD) latest Economic Confidence Index.

The index, which measures business leader optimism in prospects for the UK economy, crept up to -61 in December 2024 from -65 in November.

This nonetheless represents the fourth lowest reading of the index since its introduction in July 2016.

Business leader confidence in their own organisations also rose to +8 in December, from -7 in November. However, this is still the second lowest reading of this indicator since June 2020.

Anna Leach, Chief Economist at the IoD, said: 'It is welcome to hear of government commitments to stable and long-term policy making that facilitates business planning and investment.

'But it takes more than stability to deliver growth and government rhetoric on investment is increasingly out-of-step with business reality.

'Our data shows that business leaders are proceeding with investment in areas such as technology, workforce training and R&D, motivated by desires to increase efficiency, launch new products and services, and expand their businesses.

'The government must move swiftly to deliver a policy environment in the UK that strengthens investment, with Industrial Strategy, ten-year infrastructure plans and planning reform presenting material opportunities.'

Latest news stories

03 Sep 2025

Companies face prosecution risk as new fraud law comes into force

Companies could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines if they fail to prevent fraud that their firm profits from under a new corporate offence.

02 Sep 2025

Business confidence rises but concerns over taxes remain

Confidence amongst business leaders rose to -61 in August from -72 in July, the Institute of Directors (IoD) has found.

01 Sep 2025

Nearly 5,000 scams reported to FCA in first half of 2025

Data published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has revealed that 4,465 reports of scams were made in the first six months of 2025.

Connect with us

Facebook LinkedIn X Google+ YouTube
Copyright

© 2025 Finnies Chartered Certified Accountants. All rights reserved.

We use cookies on this website, you can find more information about cookies here.
Address
Finnies Chartered Certified Accountants, 4-6 Swaby's Yard, Walkergate, Beverley HU17 9BZ

Please call:
01482 861919

Or email us:
enquiries@finnies.org.uk

Quicklinks

Home | Contact Us | Site map | Accessibility | Legals and Disclaimer | Help |

XERO logo quickbooks.png
Reviews and Ratings for accountant Neil Tomlin, Hull